breathy

[ breth-ee ]

adjective

, breath·i·er, breath·i·est.

1. (of the voice) characterized by audible or excessive emission of breath.

breathy

/ ˈbrɛθɪ /

adjective

1. (of the speaking voice) accompanied by an audible emission of breath
2. (of the singing voice) lacking resonance

Derived Forms

• ˈbreathily, adverb
• ˈbreathiness, noun

Other Words From

• breathi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of breathy¹

First recorded in 1520–30; breath + -y ¹

Example Sentences

“You know, I was wondering if you could keep on,” Jackson murmurs over a strutting bass line in his breathy spoken introduction, “because the force, it’s got a lot of power, and it make me feel like …” Then the 20-year-old unleashes the high-pitched squeal that let everybody know this former kiddie star had become a man.

From Los Angeles Times

Last month she released a self-titled album of her own, with her breathy vocals against atmospheric indie-folk arrangements à la Boygenius or Lizzy McAlpine.

From Los Angeles Times

His voice breaks the surface with a breathy, smoldering whisper.

From Los Angeles Times

The way Roan performed it Sunday — breathy and yearning yet with a faint snarl — it was all of those.

From Los Angeles Times

Placing breathy vocals over retro garage samples, tracks like Break It Off and Just A Waste rapidly went viral, even as she initially kept her identity secret.

From BBC

Related Words

• discordant
• gravelly
• gruff
• harsh
• raucous
• throaty